lagañas
/laɡaɲas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "eye boogers" is translated into Spanish as lagañas.
The dried mucus and debris that collect in the corners of the eyes during sleep.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American nations, it is common to use mocos en los ojos to describe eye boogers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is lagaña, but the plural form lagañas is much more commonly used to refer to the substance in general. To say someone has eye boogers, use the verb tener (to have) followed by the plural noun: tener lagañas.
How do you pronounce it?
/laɡaɲas/
Did you know?
- While 'lagañas' is the standard term, calling someone 'lagañosa' is a common way to describe a person as being 'crusty' or unkempt, often used in a derogatory or teasing manner.
- While English uses the general term 'boogers' for both nose and eyes, Spanish maintains a strict linguistic boundary between mocos for the nose and lagañas for the eyes.
- When cleaning one's eyes, a native speaker might say they are despegar las lagañas, literally meaning 'to unstick' or 'to detach' the boogers.
Examples in context
- Tengo legañas en los ojosI have eye boogers
- Me despierto con lagañas todas las mañanasI wake up with eye boogers every morning
- Me pica el ojo debido a las leguillas que tengo.My eye itches because of the eye boogers I have.
- Despierto todos los días con legañas en los ojos.I wake up every day with eye boogers.
- ¿Sabes cómo eliminar las lagañas de forma segura?Do you know how to safely remove eye boogers?
- Mis ojos están irritados por los residuos oculares.My eyes are irritated because of the eye boogers.
- Tienes lagañas en el ojo.You have eye boogers in your eye.
- Tengo unas lagañas en el ojo.I have some eye boogers in my eye.
- Se despertó con muchas lagañas.She woke up with a lot of eye boogers.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are getting ready in the morning.
- AlejandroLucía, tienes unas lagañas en el ojo.Lucía, you have some eye boogers in your eye.
- Lucía¿De verdad? Gracias por avisarme.Really? Thanks for telling me.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, te ayudo.Don't worry, I'll help you.
- LucíaEres muy amable, Alejandro.You are very kind, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
